Could EU Travel Changes Make Greek Homeownership More Convenient?

In The News

14.05.2026

Eva Karolidou

For many people who own, or plan to buy, a home in Greece, the journey is part of the experience. Some fly directly to Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, or Chania. Others prefer slower travel, combining trains, ferries, buses, and regional routes across Europe. Until now, however, planning a cross-border trip by train has often required patience, several booking platforms, and a healthy tolerance for uncertainty. A new proposal from the European Commission aims to make that process much simpler. The plan introduces a more unified system for booking cross-border journeys across Europe, especially train journeys involving more than one operator. The goal is clear: travellers should be able to search, compare, and book a complete journey through one platform, even when different transport companies are involved. For international buyers, second-home owners, and regular visitors to Greece, this could become an important step towards easier, more flexible travel across Europe.

A Single Ticket for Multi-Operator Journeys

One of the main ideas behind the proposal is the creation of a simpler booking experience for cross-border rail travel. Instead of having to visit several different websites to book different parts of the same journey, passengers would be able to buy one combined ticket in a single transaction. This ticket could include services from different railway operators and, potentially, combinations with other modes of transport. In practice, that means a traveller could plan a longer journey across Europe with fewer gaps between booking systems. For example, someone travelling from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, or France towards Italy and then onwards to Greece could, in future, find it easier to organise the rail part of the journey through one platform. While Greece is still more commonly reached by air or ferry, better European rail connections and booking systems could encourage more travellers to explore slower, lower-emission travel options.

More Choice Through Independent Booking Platforms

Another important part of the proposal concerns access to ticketing data. Railway operators would be required to make their ticket information available to independent ticket sellers who want to offer those services. This could give travellers more choice. Instead of being limited to the platform of one operator, passengers may be able to compare routes, prices, travel times, and combinations through independent booking platforms. The proposal also suggests that ticketing platforms owned by large railway companies should display competing rail services when those providers choose to participate. This is meant to create a fairer and more transparent system for passengers. For travellers, this could mean fewer blind spots when planning a route. For the European travel market, it could help create a more open and connected system.

Stronger Passenger Rights When Connections Are Missed

Anyone who has travelled across borders by train knows that one delayed connection can affect the entire journey. This becomes even more stressful when different sections of the trip are booked separately. The European Commission’s proposal aims to strengthen passenger rights in these situations. If a traveller has a single ticket covering a journey with multiple railway providers, they would benefit from broader protection if a connection is missed. This could include assistance, rerouting, refunds, and compensation, depending on the circumstances. For people travelling to Greece for holidays, property viewings, legal appointments, or seasonal stays, this kind of protection matters. Travel becomes easier not only when tickets are simple to book, but also when passengers know they have support if something goes wrong.

A More Transparent Way to Compare Travel Options

The proposal also introduces new obligations for booking platforms and transport providers. These are designed to ensure fair access to ticket sales and a neutral presentation of available travel options. In other words, platforms would need to show travel choices in a way that does not unfairly favour one operator over another. Where possible, platforms may also be required to display options based on greenhouse gas emissions. This could be particularly useful for travellers who want to make more informed decisions. Price and travel time will always matter, but more people are also looking at comfort, convenience, and environmental impact. For owners of holiday homes in Greece who travel several times a year, this could make comparing routes more practical. A journey may not always be about finding the fastest option. Sometimes it is about choosing the route that best fits a longer stay, a relaxed schedule, or a lower-emission lifestyle.

Why This Matters for Greece

Greece has long been one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for second homes. Its climate, coastline, food, culture, and quality of life continue to appeal to buyers from across Europe. At the same time, accessibility plays an important role in property decisions. Buyers often ask practical questions before choosing a location: How easy is it to reach? Are there direct flights? What happens outside the summer season? Can family and friends visit easily?

While air travel remains central to Greece’s international connectivity, improved cross-border European transport can only strengthen the country’s appeal. Easier planning, clearer booking options, and stronger passenger rights all help make travel feel less complicated. This is especially relevant for buyers who want to spend longer periods in Greece rather than visit only for short holidays. Retirees, remote workers, and families with flexible schedules may be more open to combining train, ferry, and regional transport if the process becomes simpler.

What It Could Mean for Future Homeowners

For those considering a property purchase in Greece, the EU proposal is not just about trains. It reflects a wider direction in European travel: more connected, more transparent, and more passenger-friendly. In the future, travelling from one part of Europe to another may become easier to organise through one booking system, with clearer options and better protection along the way. For Greece, this could support more year-round movement and make second-home ownership feel even more practical for European buyers. A home in Greece is often about more than the property itself. It is about the rhythm of returning, the ease of arrival, and the feeling that the distance between countries is becoming smaller.

At Elxis – At Home in Greece, we have helped international buyers find and purchase homes in Greece since 1991. With 35+ years of experience in real estate and legal guidance, we know that access, clarity, and confidence matter at every stage, from the first journey to the final signature, and long after the keys are handed over.